Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth maintains he will serve out his term despite facing broad bipartisan blowback over unauthorized hostilities in Iran. Republican leaders have warned that his damaged standing with Capitol Hill puts a critical $1.5 trillion defense spending package at severe risk. Meanwhile, incoming Democratic committee chairs intend to examine controversial personnel firings, Latin American military strikes, and Ukraine policy. Amid the uncertainty, political rumors suggest Hegseth could alternatively be appointed to an open U.S. Senate seat in Tennessee.
Key points
President Donald Trump publicly backed Pete Hegseth, though advisers suggest a leadership…: President Donald Trump publicly backed Pete Hegseth, though advisers suggest a leadership replacement remains possible following midterm losses.
Vice President JD Vance attributed the loss of Republican congressional control directly…: Vice President JD Vance attributed the loss of Republican congressional control directly to voter dissatisfaction with the war in Iran.
Hegseth may alternatively be considered for an appointment to Marsha Blackburn's vacated…: Hegseth may alternatively be considered for an appointment to Marsha Blackburn's vacated U.S. Senate seat in Tennessee.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump backed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday (Nov 4), a day after Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress in midterm elections that reflected voter anger over the Iran war.
Asked whether he was considering replacing Hegseth, whom he has described as a champion of the war, Trump told reporters: "No, I think he's doing a very good job."
The response contrasted with then-President George Bush, who fired Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld the morning after the 2006 midterm elections, when voter discontent over the Iraq war helped Democrats win control of Congress.
But sources said Trump could still replace Hegseth as Republicans assess their losses.
One Trump adviser said Hegseth "could be on the chopping block" because of the war. "Someone is going to get blamed for this and you know it's not going to be him (Trump)," the adviser said.
Trump has described Hegseth as a key proponent of the unpopular conflict, saying on March 23: "Pete, I think you were the first one to speak up, and you said, 'Let's do it,…
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